COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONThis abbey ale is a collaboration between Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and the monks, at the Abbey of New Clairvaux. Belgian inspired golden ales are noted for their devilish personalities, but there is nothing mischievous about this complex ale. It is brilliant golden and layered with notes of summery apple and pear and pepperv spice from the use of a traditional Belgian yeast strain. A portion of proceeds from this ale goes toward the restoration of the historic Santa Maria de Ovila chapter house on the grounds of the Abbey of New Clairvaux. This medieval building stood for nearly eight centuries in Spain. William Randolph Hearst purchased the monastery 1931 and planned use the stones for a castle even grander than his famous San Simeon. Although Hearst’s, plans crumbled. these historic stones will rise again in a California Cistercian abbey.

The aroma is very much like a Belgian with yeast, dust, sweet malt, and spice. The appearance is golden with a foamy head. The taste is like the aroma. The palate is typical. Overall this is good but not great.

Pours a golden color with a big foamy white head. Good lacing. Nose is of yeast, fruits, and spice along with citrus hops. Medium in body. Smooth in the mouth. Flavor is of belgian yeasts with banana, and light fruit. Finish shows citrus. Good.

Sierra Nevada Ovila Golden has a thick, spongy, white head and an initially clear, bubbly, golden appearance, with hazes up, once one pours in the bottom swished third of the bottle. The aroma is very pungent, sweet, bready, and fruity, and the flavor is similar, with sour and citrus aspects. The bitterness level is pretty low, and the sediment brings in a yeasty quality. Mouthfeel is medium, and Sierra Nevada Ovila Golden finishes crisp, spritzy, and easily drinkable. The alcohol level really does not show much with this beer. Overall, I really enjoyed it and think it’s a most excellent offering. RJT

Slightly cloudy golden with a large, resilient, off-white head. Aroma of grain, citrus, banana, and spice. Taste is yeasty and a little sweet, lightly bitter, and with just a hint of alcohol. Medium bodied, dry.

750 C&C bottle. Bright clear copper gold pour, with a large bubbly head, good retention. Fruity esters, peppery, floral, stone fruit, light banana, dry grain, and a touch of honey. Really nice actually, I usually don’t like this style too much, but this was good. Fairly dry, just the right amount of sweetness, and soft carbonation.

A - Pours a slightly hazy golden-orange with a big finger of frothy white head. The head fades down slowly leaving behind some nice lacing.
S - Aroma is a mix of pale malts, grains, Belgian yeast, coriander, spices, banana, some farmhouse smells, lemon zest, and a bit of booze.
T - Starts off with a mix of pale malts, grainy malts, coriander, and lemon zest. Through the middle, some more Belgian yeast esters come through with some more fruity esters, spices, and a bit of banana. The finish is a mix of sweet grainy malts, Belgian yeast esters, spices, lemon zest, and a touch of booze.
M - Medium bodied with moderate-plus carbonation. Feels smooth with a dry, sweet, and estery finish.
D - Very drinkable. Nice BSPA. Good balance of malts, spices, and yeast flavor.

Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community.
Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings.
Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!